It has been 21 long and labor intensive days of mining on Baunmaald for the MEGAlodus crew, and they haven't been getting as many MEGAtons of rubies as they would like.

About this creation

A crate a day will get any mining crew to their goal when mining gems, but its more difficult than you would think. When you have about 10 mining members, it gets stressful to operate on an entire planet when your goals are set so high. But when it comes down to it, that separates the miners from the minors.

Only 9 non-consecutive days of the last 21 have brought the Baunmaald crew a full crate of rubies, and they haven't found any bountiful deposits. A recent shift in the tectonics plates in the planet's crust has made Mining Foreman Horace Goldman send out a prospecting team to investigate the site followed closely by the mining crew. "If anything is there, I want them there pronto," he figured to himself.

While cruising in his small speeder, Horace pondered what the day would be like to himself. Would the shift in the tectonic plates bring them a beautiful bounty, or a depressing disaster? He knew the troubles he and his crew would endure while they stayed on Baunmaald, but why haven't they been as successful as the other Foremen in their sector of space?

It is frustrating to not get great equipment from corporate because you have to struggle to get by without it. But that is what being a Foreman is all about; surviving those struggles and surpassing your neighbors.

On his way to the site, Horace ventured upon a flightless dragon, one of 15 species of dragon on the planet Baunmaald. They are omnivorous and prefer flora to meat, but that doesn't mean they aren't territorial.

It's roar isn't life threatening but more like a warning to stay away from its meal. Horace hopes to do the same and keep other mining Foremen from coming to Baunmaald to eventually replace him if corporate doesn't see some improvement quickly.

As the dragon gets into a defensive stance, Horace thought of it as a mirror image of himself. He'd have to get into a defensive position soon. After the meeting today that kept him from the beginning of the operation at this new site, he knew what had to be done, or face demotion.

Horace decided not to spend any more time watching the beast and sped off quietly.

As he checked his mirrors, he could see the dragon growling at an annoying bird.

Horace pulled up to the site at last.

It truly was a sight to be seen. Horace couldn't believe what was before him.

Horace almost tripped getting off of his speeder as he stood there baffled at the amazing glint coming off of the suns above.

Hard at work was the entire crew. Even Lieutenant Soban was contributing the effort. The AHM-626 was already powered down for the day, which was amazing this early in the operation.

The AHM pilot opened the cockpit just then, probably to cool himself off due to the heat coming from the engines and the suns above.

Horace still stood there gazing upon this beautiful chunk of Baunmaald's crust.

Not far from him, a heavy miner reveals more precious rubies.

The Foreman decided to finally go around and check the amazing progress his team has made so far today. He approached a heavy miner first and noticed that the acid blasters were working at maximum power, a good sign his equipment is still hanging in there.

Horace had to chuckle to himself when he saw Lt. Soban wielding a buzz saw and carefully severing rubies from the rock.

Around the corner, the Foreman saw a few empty acid canisters but couldn't tell where they had come from.

Up above was one of the heavy miners blasting away the rock to get to the rubies.

And the Foreman figures out how he got up there. And while he's turning the corner, he notices...

3 crates full of rubies! He quickly checks his data pad and the regional ruby demand, which determines prices, and figures they have to have at least 7 and a half million right here, with a MEGA-million dollar site right beside him. (When rubies are the size of your fist, they sure do add up).

The multi-purpose vehicle approaches the site.

Atop the multi-purpose vehicle was the saw man, Isaac. Recently Isaac had purchased new mining gear from a nearby outpost and decided to finally put it to use.

Horace could only stare in bewilderment.

The MPV moved Isaac closer and he immediately went to work. This efficiency was exactly what gained them three crates of rubies already.

Isaac knew he needed to dig in to get corporate to notice them and give them enormous raises.

The MPV kept moving Isaac around the site where he could continue to saw off rubies to the ground.

Meanwhile, below Isaac was one of the heavy miners and Lt. Soban continuing to work hard, because they too know they will surely get a raise if they get a large shipment out this month.

Lt. Soban is doing well for never working a site before. It never hurts to get two paychecks. As long as there isn't a warning from the other scouts of Kharakian Raiders, he can continue to work as a miner for the day.

Horace decided to go talk to one of his heavy miners on the top of the mining site.

Horace: "I can't believe how much you guys have uncovered while I was in that meeting. This is incredible!"

Heavy Miner: "It surprises me too, but what I'm worried about is that this is my last set of acid canisters. I won't be able to continue without new ones. We also have a transportation issue with the crates of rubies. How are we ever going to get them back to the station?"

As the mining Foreman, looked down upon the empty canisters on the ground he knew that they would be halted immediately without filled ones.

Horace: "I'll be back as soon as I can with a solution. I know exactly where to go to keep this going."

Horace immediately arrived at his speeder and rushed away.

About an hour later he showed up at one-armed Bill's salvage emporium.

Horace: "Bill I need a hauling vessel quickly. It needs room for cargo and an easy access to energy batteries."

Bill: "This is 'bout the best I can get you at the moment. Has new treads put onto it and recently imported hardware on the inside."

Bill: "Here is one of the trailers that go with it. It connects with powerful magnets that won't release unless triggered from the cabin."

Bill: "The last one is used more than the first, but it will get cargo from point A to point B."

Bill: "Well, what dya think?"

Horace: "Well I need it now, and it will do well in the future to haul the cargo I need. I will definitely be making some adjustments to it, but for what it's worth...Wait, what is it worth?"

Bill: "130,000 credits."

Horace: "115,000 is all I'm going to pay. The treads on the last trailer are wearing, and I'll have to replace them soon. And the circuitry on the first trailer is faulty, so I'll have to have that fixed too."

Bill: "Hehe, so be it. 115,000 credits."

Horace started handing over the credits. 100,000.

110,000.

Horace: "And 115,000 credits. Thanks Bill, was a pleasure doing business with you. By the way I'll need the paperwork that goes with this. I want a hard copy, AND a digital copy."

As Bill went to go get the paperwork, Horace decided to make a special call to an old friend.

Horace: "Grandpa Jo, this is Horace, I need a favor from you and I'll pay well for it. I need weaponry, big weaponry. Something large enough to take down small hovercraft that the raiders use. I'll also need to hire one of your mercenaries."

Grandpa Jo: "It's good to hear from you again, I just had a new shipment of cannons and plasma shot. I also just finished putting together a good targeting system on it. I'll have it to you in 27 minutes."

Horace decided that while he waited for Grandpa Jo, he'd hitch the trailers together and get them ready for Grandpa Jo's arrival.

And sure enough, Grandpa Jo drove up in his salvaged semi.

In the trailer sat the new cannon and behind that was the mercenary that Horace wanted to hire.

Grandpa Jo powered down the engines and stepped out onto Horace's new vessel.

Horace: "Grandpa Jo, it is good to see you again. Here is 50,000 credits to pay for the cannon and transport. How is the arms business? I've heard you've been hired to get four crates full of hand guns and grenades for rebels on the nearby moon of Ikenda IV."

Grandpa Jo: "It's a profitable business Horace. It's too bad you work for a large corporation. I could use a guy like you. I know you are a skilled pilot, despite your accident, and you would be good at transporting the goods for me, outrunning Imperial Police."

Horace: "You know I'm not one to go against the law."

Grandpa Jo: "But do you know that by purchasing this cannon, you may be? Hahaha, you're killing me Horace. You have my number, if you are ever doing poorly, just give me a buzz. Now let me show you your newly acquired weaponry."

Grandpa Jo: "Such a beautiful work of art isn't it. This is brand new, shipped in from the distant planet Grizzendel. Works incredibly, I've practiced with it a little; fires well."

Grandpa Jo: "You can control it remotely, but it fires best with human hands."

Horace: "It's very nice. Thanks again. I'll keep in touch."

Grandpa Jo: "You do that Horace, I'll keep my eye on you and your crew. My men and I will not let anything happen. You're like family to me."

So Grandpa Jo started up the engines and drove away in his semi.

And Horace started his engines and drove away with the mercenary watching from the turret, making sure nobody comes to attack them.

At the site, the miners are taking a small break and talking about how they are gonna spend their bonus money next month when they hear a rumbling in the distance.

The team realizes that Horace had returned with a transport and plenty of supplies.

The men cheered the return of their Foreman.

Isaac knew it was time for business again and threw on his helmet.

The men quickly started to unload the equipment so they could load their enormous bounty of rubies. Of course they didn't give up once the Foreman left. They mined over four more crates worth of rubies.

Food!

It was time to unload the acid canisters.

And to load all of the rubies they've collected.

One of the miners who specialized in circuitry tested the monitors to make sure they can stabilize the rubies.

The chains are secured and tightened.

And the Mining Foreman takes the rubies back to base.

As he drives away from the site, Horace remembered the flightless dragon he saw on the way to the site. He breathed easily knowing that he wouldn't have to defend his territory now. It was such a good decision to send his men to this site, not to mention a great mining crew that was willing to work their hearts out. Hopefully his men get the raises they deserve, because they are the ones who make this operation successful.